I awoke to my Haitian alarm clock – someone hitting the roof of my tent. With the sound of mosquitos trapped in the tent buzzing in my ear, I opened my eyes realizing the past 48 hours hadn’t been just a dream; I was in Haiti.
As I pulled myself out of my tent, I was met by Brandon, a team leader, letting me know I needed to pack up as I was headed to the other location. I was a little confused, and within a few minutes I wasn’t sure where I was supposed to be. Apparently there had been some confusion and which location I was supposed to be at was suddenly up in the air. While the staff tried to figure where I should be, I pulled the project leader aside and let him know that I felt like God was directing me to the other location.
Within a few minutes I was in a van headed towards Pator Jean Claude’s with my new teammate Matt.
Driving through Port au Prince, whether it be morning, noon, or night, is quite the experience. There are horns blaring, people running, sidewalk vendors shouting, and whomever is behind the wheel has the freedom to drive wherever they want.
I was once again met with the stark contrast of life amidst destruction and was moved speechless as I let my eyes take it in. Entire buildings reduced to rubble next to a business which remains seemingly untouched. But through the storm LIFE MOVES ON.
Photo by: Samantha Horneff
As we stepped through a rusted gate off the main road, we began following a small path that led to what was now home for over 2,000 people. Hastily made shelters increased in number and size and as we turned the corner my heart broke as I came face to face with what home looked like in Haiti now.
others with tin, while a lucky few had received tarps from aid
agencies. As we walked the pathways that had taken shape, we were met
with smiling faces, scores of children, and friendly “Bon Swa’s” (Good
afternoon in Creole). Within moments I had children attached to my arms and legs as we slowly
made our way through the community and I met some of the children that would stay by my side all week.
9 year old Kinski showing his peace signs. He was constantly by my side all week.
Where was the sadness? Faces were filled with faith and joy.
I was beginning to realize that where we saw destruction, they saw opportunity for God to move. Where we expected to see despair, we found hope.
The moment Pastor Jean Claude said, “Let’s begin,” arms shot into the air in gratitude and praise. The quiet prayers and soft words of thanks so common in America, were spoken with a conviction and honesty that I had never seen from people who had lost EVERYTHING.
In a room full of 12 strangers, the Haitians showed no sign of embarrassment, no hesitation in praising God. I sat convicted of my own reluctance to simply raise my hands as high as they could go, or to sing loud enough to actually be heard. But as the minutes passed, something incredible happened.
The Spirit of God began to move and I began to worship freely. Meeting my creator in that divine moment, we all began joining in the chorus of voices praising the God who provides! The God who heals! The God who Haiti now turns to in dependence! The God who is faithful!
Our prayers suddenly turned into a time of worship and it is in this moment I believe I experienced a glimpse of heaven.
We came together as one voice in the room, singing in two different languages a simple hymn know to many,
To worship you, Oh my soul rejoice!
Take joy, my King, in what you hear
May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear
This is what we were created to do.
To worship our creator with every fiber of our being. Offering our sweetest songs in praise and worship of He who provides. Bringing praise when the sun is shining and when the ground trembles.
It is not dependent on the external; the songs, the lighting, the stage. God is ready to meet us in incredible ways if we would just remember James 4:8 and draw near to HIM.
I eagerly await the day His kingdom comes, and we are able to praise Him for eternity together again.
James 4:8-10
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